Three-dimensional virtual reality: Applications to the 12 grand challenges of social work

Abstract

The American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW) identified 12 Grand Challenges of Social Work to unify the profession with focused research, practice and policy applications for the most pressing social issues. Virtual Reality (VR), specifically three-dimensional immersive computer-generated environments, has a history of research and applications to address social and behavioral problems. VR is becoming more readily available, as the technology is becoming more common in mainstream platforms such as mobile technology. While social work interventions are often tailored for vulnerable populations that may not have access to VR computing, it appears that virtual reality is gaining accessibility with these advances. Within the framework of the 12 Grand Challenges of Social Work, researchers from three social work virtual reality laboratories in the United States, Texas State University, the University of Houston, and the University of Alabama, review applications previously tested and currently in development to focus future research and intervention in social work practice.

Keywords:

• Virtual reality
• 12 grand challenges
• technology
• social work

Disclosure statement

Publication authors have no conflict of interest, or benefit arisen from the direct application of this research.

Funding information

Work for this article was supported in part by NIDA grant 5R24DA019798-09, University of Houston Drug Abuse Research and Development Project.

Additional information

Notes on contributor

Mark Trahan, PhD, LCSW, is an assistant professor of Social Work at Texas State University. Dr. Trahan researches the parenting engagement and the use/misuse of technology, including virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR), to enhance parental and social engagement. Dr. Trahan is particularly interested in research with fathers, veterans, and intimate partnerships. Currently, Dr. Trahan is working on pairing VR/360 Video applications with a mindfulness therapeutic intervention for increasing social/familial engagement in returning combat veterans. Dr. Trahan is also interested in interventions that promote paternal self-efficacy, increasing agency of fathers within the parenting realm.

Kenneth Scott Smith, PhD, LCSW, is an Associate Professor at Texas State University. Dr. Smith is the director and founder of the Texas State Virtual Reality and Technology Lab and owner of Augmented Training Systems. The lab is one of the leading VR research labs in the state of Texas and is one of the only VR labs that designs, develops, and evaluates their own technological solutions in house. Dr. Smith and his interdisciplinary team of computer scientist, psychologist, social workers, engineers, and graphic designers have developed multimedia trainings using 360 video, smartphone applications, and virtual environments to treat addiction and social anxiety in Veterans. Moreover, his team has been recognized as one of the first labs to develop virtual and augmented reality training for AMBUS first responders to address situational awareness while responding to hurricanes, mass casualty incidents, and active shooter scenarios.

Amy Traylor, PhD, MSW, is an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama. Dr. Traylor’s research interests include issues related to adolescent and young adult substance abuse and mental health, as well as the use of technology in social work research, practice, and education. She has collaborated on a number of virtual reality development projects focused on topics including adult and adolescent substance abuse and storm anxiety. She is currently working on a project examining the role of technology to improve outcomes for juvenile victims of human trafficking.

Micki Washburn, PhD, LMSW, LPC-S is a Research Scientist with the University of Houston Center for Drug and Social Policy Research. She is also the Coordinator of the NIDA funded Virtual Reality Clinical Research lab, an innovative lab focusing on technology enhanced and culturally grounded intervention strategies for mental health and substance use, as well as technology enhanced clinical training for future behavioral health practitioners. For over 15 years, Dr. Washburn has provided culturally informed evidence-based metal health and substance abuse interventions for diverse groups of clients in the Houston metropolitan area. She is licensed in social work, professional counseling, and clinical supervision.

Nicole Moore, M.Ed, LPC, is a Clinical Researcher with the University of Houston Center for Drug and Soical Policy Research. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 5 years’ experience providing clinical mental health services using evidence-based substance abuse assessment and intervention methods with at vulnerable populations. Mrs. Moore is a Clinical Interventionist for the Virtual Reality Clinical Research lab.

Alberto Mancillas, BA, CHW, is a Clinical Researcher at the University of Houston Center for Drug and Social Policy Research. He is a certified Community Health Worker (Promotor), and has worked in the field of community-based substance abuse research for nearly 10 years. Mr. Mancillas' work focuses on assisting populations with history of substance misuse, and those at risk of contracting HIV as well as Viral Hepatitis C. He is a Clinical Interventionist for the Virtual Reality Clinical Research Lab.